Graduate Student Opportunities

** This page is frequently updated -- New opportunities are always becoming available! **

The Marine Technology Society offers multiple scholarship awards to undergraduate and graduate students who are accepted into or enrolled in full-time marine-related programs, with a focus on marine technology, marine engineering, or marine science | Applications due Mar. 23, 2026
_____________

The NASA Planetary Science Summer School (PSSS) is accepting applications from graduate students, post docs, faculty members, early career scientists and engineers | Applications due Mar. 23, 2026
_____________

 The Port of San Diego is hosting a People of the Port Career Fair. All education, skill, and experience levels are welcome.  Learn more and Register | Mar. 25, 2026 10am-2pm at the Port Pavillion

_____________

California Sea Grant is accepting applications for two graduate student fellowships: The Delta extension fellowship and the North Coast Seafood Extension Fellowship | Applications due Mar. 31, 2026

_____________

The Natural Resource Workforce Development (NRWD) Fellowship is accepting graduate student applications for the 2026-27 fellowship that trains students in developing use-inspired and actionable science to inform natural resource management | Applications due Apr. 10, 2026

_____________

CSULB Shark Lab is offering their annual Shark Beach Safety Lifeguard Workshop on Apr. 10, 2026 (preregistration required)

_____________

The Marine Technology society is accepting applications from students and early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs) for their year-long MTS EMERGE program, designed to provide networking opportunities and foster professional skill development | Applications due Apr. 17, 2026

_____________

CODAR Ocean Sensors is offering SeaSonde® Training for Spring 2026 at their headquarters in Mountain view, CA | Registration due Apr. 17, 2026

_____________

The IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, University of Copenhagen, Denmark is offering a Training Course and Identification Qualification in Harmful Marine Microalgae in September-October 2026 | Applications due May 15, 2026

_____________

The Department of Energy (DOE) Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) is now accepting applications from undergraduate STEM or science policy students and recent graduates for this paid internship | Applications due May 20, 2026
______________

NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program is now accepting graduate and post-graduate student applications for the Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. This program provides a unique educational experience for students interested in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and the national policy decisions that affect them | Applications due Jun. 3, 2026

_____________

Black in Marine Science (BIMS) is hiring a remote Community Engagement Manager | Position remain open until filled
_____________

Climate Science Alliance is hiring a Communications Manager | Position remain open until filled
_____________

Heal the Bay based in Santa Monica, CA is hiring a Community Programs Associate | Position remain open until filled
_____________

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is hiring for a Water Science Lab intern. This is available for both undergraduate or graduate students, or even someone who just wrapped up their degree. The role is paid $18/hr, up to 480 hours. It involves learning about the labs’ chemistry, microbiology, instrumentation and data management, as well as how systems work, and finishes with a final project designed by the student.  Use the link to learn more:

https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/MON1023MBAF/JobBoard/84cdbbe5-6ebd-4432-86f2-05e6fcf67a82/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=1f933290-41e3-480f-9e1c-d266cb66f2d3
_____________

CERF (Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation) is pleased to offer its inaugural 1-year mentorship program. The program will match individuals at any career stage with a mentor within the CERF community. Mentors play a vital role in building confidence, offering guidance, and fostering new connections that strengthen our scientific community. Whether you have years of experience or specialized knowledge to share, your involvement can make a significant difference. The program will begin soon, but you can learn more about the program and sign up to be a mentor online. Questions? Contact cerfmentorshipprogram@gmail.com.
_____________

Bioma is now accepting applications for their Summer 2026 Sea Turtle Field Courses. These courses take place on beaches in Costa Rica over 2 weeks where you’ll engage in hands-on sea turtle field research and have an opportunity to learn about sea turtle biology, ecology and conservation. You will be trained on scientific techniques to collect and analyze data on nesting or foraging sea turtles under the guidance of local project staff.

See Turtle Field Course website: https://biomatravel.org/expeditions-page#sea-turtle-field-course 

Program application: https://biomatravel.org/application 

Application deadline: This varies by which trip you apply to. Please see website for more details on application deadlines.
_____________

The Health Department’s Clinic Services Bureau of Monterey is looking for a Social Media Intern to assist with creating, scheduling, and posting content across various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. This position will help support community outreach campaigns by highlighting our services, events, and patient education initiatives. 6 months, 20 hours per week, $20 hourly. Apply Here
_____________

The Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program application is now live! This program supports doctoral students interested in faculty careers in the CSU system by providing CSU faculty mentorship, access to internal funding for fellows (e.g., travel grants, doctoral education support grants, dissertation awards, and access to an institutional loan), and professional development opportunities.  Individuals do not have to be admitted into a program to apply but should be admitted by May 2025 to qualify. We encourage CSU Lecture Faculty pursuing doctoral degrees to apply as well. 

You can learn more about the program on the CDIP landing page. Scroll down the landing page to find CDIP Application Guidelines and the link to an application. Please also consider signing up for one of their information sessions.
_____________

Climate Currents aims to foster a vibrant community of scientists who are eager to contribute to the dialogue on geo-science & environmental issues. They are currently seeking contributors and editors to support the creation and publication of our content for the upcoming summer term and beyond.

The platform welcomes all types of media, including:

  • News Articles: Keep our readers updated on the latest environmental developments.
  • Features: Dive deep into stories that highlight significant environmental phenomena and the people involved. We particularly encourage features that highlight work you or your collaborators are involved in!
  • Op-Eds: Share your opinions and insights on pressing environmental issues.
  • Creative Fiction & Nonfiction: Use your storytelling skills to explore environmental themes.
  • Multimedia: Enrich our content with videos, podcasts, photo essays, and other multimedia formats.

This is a fantastic chance to develop your writing, editing, and creative skills while contributing to a meaningful cause. Whether you’re an experienced writer or just starting out, all levels of experience are welcome.  If you are interested in joining us or would like more information, please reach out to us at hbricker@g.ucla.edu.
_____________

Student Travel Awards Program

  • COAST provides support for continuing CSU graduate students to attend and present the results of original ocean and coastal research at scientific conferences.
  • Award Period: We are now accepting applications for conferences occurring July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026.
  • Specific application deadlines are posted on the website. Please review them carefully. 
  • Applications are accepted on a continual basis until funding is expended. 
  • Please visit the Award Announcement webpage for the most up-to-date information throughout the year: https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/research/coast/funding/Pages/Student-Travel.aspx

_____________

The California Dune Science Network is seeking a postgraduate or graduate student researcher to assist us in advancing our understanding of coastal dune processes and dynamics. Interested applicants should email their CV and a short paragraph about their interest to ca.dunes.nbs@gmail.com. There is no priority review date but they are looking to hire as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
_____________

The California Recreational Fisheries Survey Project is currently accepting Scientific Aid applications from highly-motivated and dedicated individuals who would like to work in the field, on and around boats, in a fast-paced setting.

Duties will include collecting recreational fishery data and biological samples at public launch ramps/docks/piers/etc., identifying fin fish and invertebrates to species and collect biological data, and conduct onboard sampling of Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels.

See https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/CRFS/Employment for full details and application instructions.
_____________

Thriving Earth Exchange, a branch of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) that helps to address science concerns from communities, is recruiting volunteer scientists. There are many opportunities available all over the United States, and the world! The positions are open until filled.
_____________

Other events and scholarships can be found on the Associated Students webpage.